DEvelopment

What Is New Urbanism?

New Urbanism is an urban design movement that emerged in the late 20th century inspired by 100-year-old development practices. It focuses on creating walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods that promote a sense of community and sustainability. This approach aims to counter the spread of urban sprawl and the dominance of car-centric planning by fostering environments that are more human-scaled, accessible, and environmentally friendly.

Key Principles of New Urbanism:

  1. Walkability: Streets and public spaces are designed to be safe, comfortable, and accessible for pedestrians. This often includes narrower streets, wide sidewalks, pedestrian-friendly intersections, and an emphasis on reducing the need for car travel.

  2. Mixed-Use Development: New Urbanism promotes a blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces within close proximity. This diversity encourages people to live, work, shop, and socialize without needing to rely heavily on vehicles.

  3. Human Scale: The built environment is designed to be on a human scale, meaning that buildings, streets, and public spaces are designed with people’s experiences in mind. This includes the use of smaller blocks, engaging street fronts, and buildings that relate to the street and pedestrians.

  4. Diverse Housing Options: New Urbanism encourages a variety of housing types and price ranges, from single-family homes to apartments, to accommodate different demographics, income levels, and stages of life.

  5. Sustainability: The movement emphasizes environmentally sustainable practices, such as energy-efficient buildings, green spaces, and reduced dependency on cars. Compact, walkable communities also reduce the environmental footprint of urban areas.

  6. Community Focus: There is a strong emphasis on fostering a sense of community and social interaction through the design of public spaces, parks, and community centers. These spaces are intended to encourage social engagement and create a vibrant community life.

  7. Connectivity: A well-connected street network is crucial in New Urbanist designs, promoting multiple routes and modes of transportation, including walking, biking, and public transit.

Examples of New Urbanism in Practice:

  • Seaside, Florida: One of the earliest and most famous examples of New Urbanism, Seaside features a compact layout, pedestrian-friendly streets, and mixed-use development.
  • Celebration, Florida: A planned community designed by the Walt Disney Company that incorporates New Urbanist principles, focusing on a walkable town center, diverse housing, and communal spaces.
  • Stapleton, Denver: A redevelopment of the former Stapleton International Airport site that includes mixed-use neighborhoods, parks, and extensive walkable areas.


New Urbanism has influenced urban planning and development around the world, encouraging a shift towards more sustainable and community-oriented approaches to city and neighborhood design.

Ramsey Ray

Ramsey spent 30 years in education beginning as a teacher and finishing as a technology coordinator. Now with The Eulalia Group overseeing property management, she works diligently with tenants to support their needs. Additionally, as the Transaction Coordinator, she is hard at work in the background with Real Estate clients getting the necessary paperwork completed and turned in on time.

“I love the hometown feel of the downtown area. I also enjoy sharing our town with many guests who come to visit for festivals which the city hosts throughout the year. The people of our town make special events very inviting for everyone.”

Sam Davis

Coming soon…

Susan Sykes

Susan joined the Real Estate industry in 2011 after a successful career managing a Wholesale Annual Flower Nursery. In 2023, Susan partnered with Chad to form The Eulalia Group Real Estate Team and fills the role of lead agent for Real Estate sales and leasing.

“Monroe is a carefully curated town with something for everyone. I was proud that my children chose to call Monroe ‘home’ once they finished college. We are a growing, thriving community.”

Chad Draper

Chad Draper has built a distinguished career at the crossroads of placemaking, city building, and historic preservation. Throughout his career, Chad has been pivotal in community development, historic preservation, and shaping urban landscapes, with a continued commitment to enhancing quality growth and preserving historical heritage.